HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-26 CC Packet EnclosureDate: August 26, 2025
New Business
TO:Mayor and City Council
FROM:Scott Richards, City Planner
AGENDA ITEM:Conditional Use Permits for Accessory Building – 14899 Upper 55
th Street
North
BACKGROUND:
Robert and Lisa Benson (Applicants) have submitted an application for Conditional Use Permits
(CUP) to allow for construction of an accessory building. The application is for three Conditional
Use Permits, to allow a reduced setback from what is required, for a second accessory structure,
and for construction in a side yard for an accessory building at 14899 Upper 55th Street North. The
proposed accessory building is 160 square feet. The property is zoned R-1 Single Family
Residential District.
The Planning Commission, at their August 14, 2025, meeting, held a public hearing and
recommended the application for the Conditional Use Permit with conditions.
FINANCIALIMPACT:
x DOES ACTION REQUIRE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS? No
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve Resolution 25-08-21
ATTACHMENTS:
Planning Report
Resolution 25-08-01
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Jacob Rife
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: August 19, 2025
RE: Oak Park Heights – Conditional Use Permits for Accessory Building
– 14899 Upper 55th Street North – City Council
TPC FILE: 236.05 – 25.02
BACKGROUND
Robert and Lisa Benson (Applicants) have submitted an application for Conditional Use
Permits (CUP) to allow for construction of an accessory building. The application is for
three Conditional Use Permits, to allow a reduced setback from what is required, for a
second accessory structure, and for construction in a side yard for an accessory
building at 14899 Upper 55th Street North. The proposed accessory building is 160
square feet. The property is zoned R-1 Single Family Residential District.
The Planning Commission, at their August 14, 2025, meeting, held a public hearing and
recommended the application for the Conditional Use Permit with conditions.
EXHIBITS
The review is based upon the following submittals:
Exhibit 1: Planning Report with Exbibits – August 6, 2025
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project description and justification for the application is as follows and found as
Exhibit 1.
We would like to build a shed next to our deck, not by our back property line as there is
no room.
We would like to use this new shed to store our lawn mower and other yard equipment
because of the fumes they produce, and we use our garage for family gatherings.
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Due to the landscape already in place, there is no room for a shed. Please see the
pictures included with the development application. As you can see, there is only one
small area for us to gain access to our backyard.
The area for the shed is already in place from where we took down the bunny
shed/hutch.
Accessory building will not exceed 20 feet in height. Accessory building will be closer
than 5 feet from the side lot line and closer than 6 feet from other buildings. The
structure will meet fire code on the inside to be closer than the 6 feet. Accessory
building will not be located within a utility and/or drainage easement.
Current detached garage is 916 square feet. Accessory building is 160 square feet with
a total of 1076 square feet, which is under the 1200 square feet allowed.
CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION
The City Council should consider the application for Conditional Use Permits to allow for
construction of an accessory building at 14899 Upper 55th Street North. If the City
Council is favorable to the request, it should consider the following conditions found
below and in the draft Resolution:
1. The final grading for the proposed structure shall be subject to approval of
the City Engineer. If the proposed structure creates any adverse water
runoff impact to the adjacent property, the Applicant/Owner shall take
measures to mitigate the issues subject to review and approval of the City
Engineer.
2. Any exterior mechanical equipment associated with the shed shall be
screened.
3. The exterior of the proposed shed shall be finished with siding and in a
color to match the current principal building exterior.
4. No kitchens or bathrooms shall be allowed in the proposed shed.
5. The Applicant shall apply for and receive a building permit for the
structure. All applicable Building Code requirements shall be met.
PC: Julie Hultman
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RESOLUTION NO. 25-08-21
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING FINDINGS OF FACT AND
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE
REQUEST BY ROBERT AND LISA BENSON FOR A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF A SHED IN THE SIDE YARD, FOR A REDUCED SETBACK,
AND TO ALLOW A SECOND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE AT 14899
UPPER 55TH STREET NORTH BE APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Oak Park Heights has received a request by Robert and Lisa
Benson (Applicants) for Conditional Use Permits to allow for construction of a shed in
the side yard, for a reduced setback, and to allow a second accessory structure at 14899
Upper 55th Street North; and after having conducted a public hearing relative thereto, the
Planning Commission of Oak Park Heights recommended that the application be
approved with conditions. The City Council of the City of Oak Park Heights makes the
following findings of fact and resolution:
1. The real property affected by said application is legally described as
follows, to wit:
SEE ATTACHMENT A
and
2. The Applicant has submitted an application and supporting documentation
to the Community Development Department consisting of the following items:
SEE ATTACHMENT B
and
3. The property is zoned R-1 Single Family Residential District in which
single family dwellings and accessory structures are a permitted use; and
4. Section 401.15.D.2 of the Zoning Ordinance requires that all accessory
buildings be located in the rear yard except by Conditional Use Permit; and
5. The Applicants have proposed placing the 160 square foot structure in the
side yard in that with topography and existing trees and landscaping, there is limited
space for the shed in the rear yard; and
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6. Section 401.15.D.3 of the Zoning Ordinance requires a five foot side yard
setback, eight foot rear lot line setback, and six foot separation from any other building
unless requirements of the Building Code are met; and
7. The Applicants have proposed the shed to be set back two feet from the
house and two feet from the east property line; and
8. The shed shall be constructed to meet Building Code requirements and
drainage issues will be addressed with the narrow setback; and
9. Section 401.15.D.5 of the Zoning Ordinance requires a Conditional Use
Permit for more than one detached accessory structure on a lot; and
10. There is an existing garage on the property; and
11. The Applicant’s have requested three Conditional Use Permits, one to
allow for construction of a shed in the front yard, one for a reduced setback, a third to
allow a second accessory structure at 14899 Upper 55th Street North; and
12. City staff prepared a planning reports dated August 6, 2025, and August
19, 2025, reviewing the request; and
13. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at their August 14, 2025,
meeting, took comments from the applicants and public, closed the public hearing, and
recommended that the application be approved with conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR
THE CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES
THE FOLLOWING:
A. The application submitted by Robert and Lisa Benson for Conditional Use
Permits to allow for construction of a shed in the side yard, for a reduced setback, and to
allow a second accessory structure at 14899 Upper 55th Street North and affecting the real
property as follows:
SEE ATTACHMENT A
Be and the same as hereby approved by the City Council of the City of Oak Park Heights
with the following conditions:
1. The final grading for the proposed structure shall be subject to approval of
the City Engineer. If the proposed structure creates any adverse water
runoff impact to the adjacent property, the Applicant/Owner shall take
measures to mitigate the issues subject to review and approval of the City
Engineer.
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2. Any exterior mechanical equipment associated with the shed shall be
screened.
3. The exterior of the proposed shed shall be finished with siding and in a
color to match the current principal building exterior.
4. No kitchens or bathrooms shall be allowed in the proposed shed.
5. The Applicant shall apply for and receive a building permit for the
structure. All applicable Building Code requirements shall be met.
Approved by the City Council of the City of Oak Park Heights this 26th day of
August 2025.
____________________________________
Chuck Dougherty, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Jacob Rife, City Administrator
Page 54 of 61
ATTACHMENT A
Conditional Use Permit
To Allow For Construction of A Shed In The Side Yard,
For A Reduced Setback,
And
To Allow For A Second Accessory Storage Structure
At
14899 Upper 55th St. N.
Washington County Property Identification Number: 04.029.20.14.0050
Physical Address: 14899 Upper 55th St. N., Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
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ATTACHMENT B
Conditional Use Permit
To Allow For Construction of A Shed In The Side Yard,
For A Reduced Setback,
And
To Allow For A Second Accessory Storage Structure
At
14899 Upper 55th St. N.
Application Materials
x Application Form
x Fees
x Plan Sets
x Written Narrative and Graphic Materials Explaining Proposal
x Proof of Ownership or Authorization to Proceed
Planning Commission Review & Recommendation: August 14, 2025
Conditional Use Permit:
Unless the City Council specifically approves a different time when action is officially taken on
the request, the conditional use permit shall become null and void twelve (12) months after the
date of approval, unless the property owner or applicant has substantially started the construction
of any building, structure, addition or alteration, or use requested as part of the conditional use.
An application to extend the approval of a conditional use permit shall be submitted to the
Zoning Administrator not less than thirty (30) days before the expiration of said approval.
(401.03.C.4.a and b)
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